Kenyan man extradited to Massachusetts to face charges of killing girlfriend

A Kenyan man, Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe, who had fled the United States to avoid murder charges in Massachusetts has been extradited back to face trial nearly a year after his escape. His girlfriend Margaret Mbitu was found dead in a car at Logan International Airport in Boston on Oct. 31. Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga stated that Kangethe departed Nairobi on Sunday and will face charges at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Tuesday.

Ingonga expressed his support for the United States’ prosecution team and their efforts in the case. The extradition order had been issued by the court in July. Kangethe, who gave up his U.S. citizenship, had escaped from a police cell in Kenya with the help of his lawyer in January. However, he was rearrested a week later, and the extradition process continued. Four police officers faced disciplinary action for their negligence during Kangethe’s escape.

Mbitu, Kangethe’s late girlfriend, was a healthcare worker in Halifax, Massachusetts. She was last seen leaving work on Oct. 30 and was reported missing by her family. Investigations revealed that Mbitu had left her workplace with Kangethe and traveled to where he resided in Lowell, Massachusetts. During the extradition case hearing, prosecutors in Kenya also mentioned that Kangethe was found in possession of personal items belonging to the victim.